Enjoying God will one day be our primary purpose, fully realized. Romans 1:25 (NLT) 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen 1. Enjoying God through . Psalm 33:6 (NLT) 6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. 2. Enjoying God through . Exodus 31:1-11 (NLT) “In my experience the Christian painter or poet, sculptor or dancer, is regularly regarded as something of a curiosity, to be tolerated, humoured even, maybe even allowed to put on a show once in a while. But the idea that they are, or could be, anything more than that—that they have a vocation to re-imagine and re-express the beauty of God, to lift our sights and change our vision of reality—is often not even considered.” — N.T Wright 3. Enjoying God through and rest. Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 (NLT) 24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Any kind of work that leaves people, places or things in better shape than before—any kind of work that helps the city of man become more like the City of God where truth, beauty, goodness, order and justice reign—is work that should be celebrated as good. – Scott Sauls Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT) 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Romans 8:3–4 (NLT) 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: 1. Have you ever had an experience in creation that made you think more highly of the Creator? If so, describe it. 2. God made men and women in His image, and imprinted them with his creative Spirit. In what ways can the arts (music, film, painting, poetry etc…) help us know and enjoy God. 3. Has your work ever been something you either endure (does it even matter) or adore (find identity in)? What perspective shift might need to occur for you to enjoy God through work. 4. Jesus satisfied God's wrath, and the demands of the law (perfection) at the cross. Now we're invited into rest. How can both physical rest and spiritual rest help us enjoy God?